Things I have learned at the age of 35

1. People come into our lives for various reasons, and not all of them will be a good fit. Some will leave when their role is fulfilled, and others are there to teach us valuable lessons.

2. Things happen for a reason, even if we don't understand them at the moment. Eventually, we may look back and see how those experiences prepared us for something.

3. The world tests us like a game with different stages. If we can't pass a stage, it comes back until we pass. If we encounter the same problems repeatedly, we need to ask ourselves if we are approaching them in the wrong way.

4. Our attitudes have the power to shape our lives. Though it may not be easy, we can improve ourselves by being open-minded and willing to learn, talking to others, reading books, and reflecting on our past experiences.

5. Set aside an hour daily for personal development through activities such as reading or reflection. Even watching a movie for inspiration counts as self-improvement.

6. Developing yourself a little each day can lead to significant improvements in the long run. Today's progress will accumulate and make the next 365 days even better than the previous 365.

7. Me Time is essential. Take 2-3 hours at least once a week for yourself to do something you enjoy.

8. Understanding ourselves is the first step to understanding others. Despite sounding unbelievable, tools like MBTI, Enneagram, and Clifton Strengths can help us recognize our strengths and weaknesses, leading to better self-understanding and empathy toward others.

9. Finding a trustworthy mentor or coach who can offer honest feedback and guidance is crucial. It's not always easy to come across such individuals, so when you find someone like this, hold them tight.

10. While logical thinking is important, our intuition is shaped by our experiences and thoughts that are difficult to explain. Trusting your intuition can offer insights that logic alone may miss.

11. Be comfortable with yourself and don't fear loneliness. Although it may seem difficult to do things alone at first, we might find it more enjoyable than we thought.

12. Be selective with your commitments and prioritize having free time for yourself. Remember that saying yes to one thing often means saying no to another.

13. Trust the process, everything is always working out. If you continue to make positive choices, you'll eventually achieve your goals.

14. Forge authentic connections by showing genuine interest in others – their thoughts and feelings. Reach out every 3-4 weeks, be present, and foster meaningful conversations with all you encounter.

15. Pause when tired, focus on healing your mental well-being first.

16. A jerk is a jerk. Run, don't walk away from them.

17. No need to compare yourself with others, unless it's for your own personal growth. Everyone starts from a different point, and the fact that you've come this far is truly incredible. Pat yourself for your achievements.

18. Each person carries their own untold story of hardships and struggles. We just don't know.

19. Trust the process; everything has a way of falling into place.

Lastly, my simple wish for happiness includes savoring delicious food, embarking on journeys to my desired destinations, connecting with wonderful people, and maintaining good health. Ideally, I would love for these things to brighten my everyday life, but even experiencing them once a week would be incredible.

This year, I celebrated myself to a long-awaited delight—a strawberry cream donut from Mello in Chinatown, and pairing it with a latte. I made my way to David Lam Park to bask in the beauty of the cherry blossoms. In that serene moment, pure joy and contentment washed over me, becoming an exquisite source of simple happiness in my life.

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If you want to know more about life in Vancouver IG: Puiionsunnyside (Thai marketer & photographer based in Vancouver, Canada)